איוב, פרק מ״א, פסוק ט״ו

The Leviathan possesses an extraordinary physical cohesion that sets it apart from all other creatures of the sea. Moving beyond the creature's outer armor of scales, attention naturally turns to its inner flesh and absolute structural strength [רש״י].

The primary approach among commentators focuses on the layers of the creature's meat. Typically, the flesh of ordinary fish easily flakes, splits, and separates into distinct pieces, especially after it is cooked [רש״י, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם, תקות אנוש]. The Leviathan, however, is entirely different. Its layers of flesh are tightly fastened and powerfully fused together [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, מלבי״ם]. Some specifically attribute this to the creature's powerful muscles, which are so heavily bound by tendons and nerves that they never shift out of place [תקות אנוש].

An alternative perspective suggests that this physical description refers to massive folds of fat hanging from the creature's body due to its immense size [רמב״ן, אבן עזרא]. However, this idea is met with the critique that fish do not naturally develop heavy folds of fat that hang over one another [תקות אנוש].

Ultimately, the intense physical bonding of its flesh creates a creature of impenetrable solidity. The layers of meat are joined so tightly that they resemble a single, solid piece of cast metal [רש״י, רלב״ג, מלבי״ם]. Rather than being soft or prone to shifting, the body forms a unified, rigid block that cannot be separated, moved, or broken down [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Beyond its physical durability, this unbreakable structure also holds a deeper spiritual meaning regarding the creature's perfection and immunity to death. According to this view, the creature's pure flesh is perfectly united with its life force. God poured a spiritual soul onto the Leviathan from above, creating an eternal connection that will never collapse or be severed [אלשיך].